Patents by Inventor WESLEY SWANSON

WESLEY SWANSON has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11944399
    Abstract: A computer-assisted medical device includes a first articulated arm, a second articulated arm, an arm stabilizer, and a control system. The arm stabilizer includes first and second clamps and one or more sensors. The first and second clamps are configured to couple the arm stabilizer to the first and second articulated arms. At least one of a distance or a relative orientation between the first and second clamps is adjustable and the one or more sensors are configured to determine the distance or relative orientation. The control system is configured to implement a following mode in which the control system drives movement of the second articulated arm in response to movements of the first articulated arm and the arm stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Amy E. Kerdok, Margaret M. Nixon, Douglas S. Langley, Wesley Swanson, Mahdi Azizian
  • Publication number: 20230149104
    Abstract: A system and method includes deploying first and second articulated arms of a computer-assisted device so that a first attachment point on the first articulated arm and a second attachment point of the second articulated arm are positioned and oriented relative to each other based on a size and a shape of an arm stabilizer; stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms by attaching the arm stabilizer to the first and second attachment points; after the stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms, positioning and orienting a tool with the first articulated arm; and after the positioning and orienting of the tool, operating the tool. In some embodiments, the tool is a medical tool. In some embodiments, the system and method further include positioning and orienting a second tool with the second articulated arm and operating the second tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Amy E. Kerdok, Margaret M. Nixon, Douglas S. Langley, Wesley Swanson, Mahdi Azizian
  • Patent number: 11583351
    Abstract: A system and method includes deploying first and second articulated arms of a computer-assisted device so that a first attachment point on the first articulated arm and a second attachment point of the second articulated arm are positioned and oriented relative to each other based on a size and a shape of an arm stabilizer; stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms by attaching the arm stabilizer to the first and second attachment points; after the stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms, positioning and orienting a tool with the first articulated arm; and after the positioning and orienting of the tool, operating the tool. In some embodiments, the tool is a medical tool. In some embodiments, the system and method further include positioning and orienting a second tool with the second articulated arm and operating the second tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Amy E. Kerdok, Margaret M. Nixon, Douglas S. Langley, Wesley Swanson, Mahdi Azizian
  • Publication number: 20190321116
    Abstract: A system and method includes deploying first and second articulated arms of a computer-assisted device so that a first attachment point on the first articulated arm and a second attachment point of the second articulated arm are positioned and oriented relative to each other based on a size and a shape of an arm stabilizer; stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms by attaching the arm stabilizer to the first and second attachment points; after the stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms, positioning and orienting a tool with the first articulated arm; and after the positioning and orienting of the tool, operating the tool. In some embodiments, the tool is a medical tool. In some embodiments, the system and method further include positioning and orienting a second tool with the second articulated arm and operating the second tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Amy E. Kerdok, Margaret M. Nixon, Douglas S. Langley, Wesley Swanson, Mahdi Azizian
  • Patent number: 10376324
    Abstract: A system and method for an articulated arm stabilization includes an arm stabilizer for use with articulated arms of a computer-assisted medical device. The stabilizer includes a spine, a first vibration absorbing mount attached to the spine, a second vibration absorbing mount attached to the spine, a first clamp attached to the first vibration absorbing mount, and a second clamp attached to the second vibration absorbing mount. The first clamp is adapted to hold a first attachment point of a first articulated arm without slipping. The second clamp is adapted to hold a second attachment point of a second articulated arm without slipping. In some embodiments, the arm stabilizer stabilizes and reduces vibration in the first and second articulated arms. In some embodiments, the vibration is in a range from 0.5 to 14 Hz. In some embodiments, the spine limits relative motion between the first clamp and the second clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Amy E. Kerdok, Margaret M. Nixon, Douglas S. Langley, Wesley Swanson, Mahdi Azizian
  • Publication number: 20170333146
    Abstract: A system and method for an articulated arm stabilization includes an arm stabilizer for use with articulated arms of a computer-assisted medical device. The stabilizer includes a spine, a first vibration absorbing mount attached to the spine, a second vibration absorbing mount attached to the spine, a first clamp attached to the first vibration absorbing mount, and a second clamp attached to the second vibration absorbing mount. The first clamp is adapted to hold a first attachment point of a first articulated arm without slipping. The second clamp is adapted to hold a second attachment point of a second articulated arm without slipping. In some embodiments, the arm stabilizer stabilizes and reduces vibration in the first and second articulated arms. In some embodiments, the vibration is in a range from 0.5 to 14 Hz. In some embodiments, the spine limits relative motion between the first clamp and the second clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: AMY E. KERDOK, MARGARET M. NIXON, DOUGLAS S. LANGLEY, WESLEY SWANSON, MAHDI AZIZIAN
  • Patent number: 6206043
    Abstract: A diverter valve comprises a body defining a first, a second, and a third orifice, a flipper operably positioned to substantially prohibit flow through one of the first, the second, and the third orifices, and a flipper drive mechanism drivably coupled to the flipper. The flipper drive mechanism comprises a motor, a cam drivably coupled to the motor and including a cam position indicator, a follower drivably coupled to the cam translating rotational motion of the cam into reciprocal motion to drive the flipper, and a motor control circuit in sensory communication with the cam position indicator. The motor control circuit couples an external source of electrical power to the motor to energize the motor to drive the cam to a first and a second predetermined position. The motor control circuit includes a first controllable switch in series with a first position switch. This first position switch opens in response to the cam position indicator indicating that the cam is at the first predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventors: Jay P. Griswold, Robert A. Livernash, Wesley A. Swanson